The Tooth Fairy (‘Life’s a Journey’ Link-Up, Week 28)

This post is part of a weekly series of ‘link-up’ Posts which reflect on life’s journey, old memories and family stories (see below for more info).Last week I visited my Dad. As has become somewhat customary at the end of our visits since Mum passed away, I was presented with a series of boxes filled with ‘goodies’ to take home. The items within did nothing to help wean me from my incessant craving to dive into the past. The nostalgic contents ranged from newspaper clippings from my former school concerts, to the immaculate and still boxed 1950-something cake icing set that had belonged to my mother. All fabulous in their own right, but the biggest surprise of all came in the tiniest package.

My dad handed me a small brown envelope, no larger than a modern booklet of stamps. On the outside of the envelope (which was firmly sealed with ancient spittle) was a child’s scrawly handwriting. Upon closer inspection, I could see that it read “Helen’s second tooth, upper right.” O.M.G. My writing, aged 5. My tooth, aged 5. My God!

Even now I’m reeling a little from this surprise. Not so much that it was a tooth in an envelope, but that my parents had kept it safe for 40 years without my knowing anything of its existence. I was truly touched, and immediately wanted to cry for my mother. She must have really loved me.

There were, of course, more gruesome envelopes, each containing a tiny hard nugget which must have wobbled its way loose from my mouth and landed firmly in my memories. I can’t recall the going rate back then, but there was definitely a Tooth Fairy and 10p would have gone a long way in the early 70s. Inflation eh?

I have also chosen this theme for a second reason this week. I’ve been in lovely Cornwall with my amazing boys. My smallest man has had a ‘wobbly’ for a few weeks now, which chose to make its departure from his fine little mouth on the beach a week ago. I love a good coincidence.

So, hands up if you still have your baby teeth? Go on now…… Or maybe you have a little macabre stash of the ones that the Tooth Fairy collected from your own kids over recent years? Share your memories of the Tooth Fairy with us. It’s a timeless childhood moment worth remembering.

Either write a blog post and link it up (the Linky will stay open for some time yet, so no need to rush), or just share your memories with us in the comments if you prefer – you don’t have to have a Blog to play! Everyone welcome here. Consider it therapy. But do tell your friends!